Windows Live
 | |
 Screenshot ofWindows Live Home,which served as a central location to access all Windows Live services | |
Type of site | Software plus services (Web applications) |
|---|---|
| Owner | Microsoft |
| URL | Archived official websiteat theWayback Machine(archive index) |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | Required |
| Users | 330 million |
| Launched | November 1, 2005 |
| Current status | Closed |
Content license | Proprietary |
Windows Liveis a discontinued brand name for a set of web services andsoftwareproducts developed byMicrosoftas part of itssoftware-as-a-serviceplatform. Chief components under the brand name included web services (all of which were exposed through correspondingweb applications), several computer programs that interact with the services, andspecialized web services for mobile devices.[1]
According to Microsoft, Windows Live was "a way to extend theWindowsuser experience".[2]As such,Windows Vista's welcome screen provides a link to downloadWindows Live Messengeror to subscribe toWindows Live OneCare.Also,Windows Mail,Windows Photo GalleryandWindows Movie Makerwere not offered withWindows 7and became an exclusive part of Windows Live.[3]Microsoft announced thatWindows 8would have Windows Live apps includedout-of-the-box,and would include built-in synchronization technologies powered byOneDrive(then SkyDrive).[4]The Windows Live brand was phased out during August 2012, when Microsoftreleased Windows 8 to manufacturing.Active Windows Live services remained active but were gradually renamed. The "live" domain, however, continues to be used in theURLsforOutlook,OneDrive,and the Login and Signup pages.
History[edit]
Windows Live was first announced on November 1, 2005. In its initial release, several Windows Live properties were rebranded and enhanced from Microsoft'sMSNset of products and services. However, MSN still exists alongside Windows Live as a means of delivering content (as opposed to customized content and communications).[5]In May 2012 Microsoft began renaming Windows Live services, partly in anticipation of Windows 8, which integrates many of the Windows Live products and services into the operating system.[6]
Services[edit]
Online services[edit]
The following services were once part of Windows Live but are still online.[7]Outlook and OneDrive still use the "Live" branding in the URL even though the brand name is dropped.
The usage of the Live domain was later extended to consumer versions ofMicrosoft Teams,Microsoft To Do,Microsoft Lists, to distinguish them from the enterprise versions.
| Previous Name | Description | Later renamed to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID | Providessingle sign-onservice, allowing users to log into various Microsoft products and services with the same credentials. Users can manage their accounts and link multiple IDs together using this service. | Microsoft account | account |
| Profile | Allow users to manage their profile information and displays information about the particular user, their recent activities, and their relationship with other Windows Live users. | ||
| Hotmail | Freewebmailservice usingAJAXtechnology | Outlook | outlook |
| Calendar | Calendaring web appthat allow users to organize appointments, schedule meetings, set reminders, and share their calendar events. | ||
| People | Anaddress bookservice, which allows users to keep track and synchronize their contact's information. Allow users to add contacts from other social networks includingFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,Google,Flickrand soonSina WeiboandSkypeto their Microsoft account. | ||
| SkyDrive | Password-protectedfile hosting service.Enablesfile sharingandcontent synchronization.Can preview images,Microsoft Officedocuments andZIP files.Integrates tightly withOffice Web AppsandOutlookto serve as an online storage for their needs. | Microsoft OneDrive | onedrive |
| — | Note-taking software designed for free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration. It gathers users' notes, drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries, and notes can also be shared with other OneNote users over the Internet or a network. | Microsoft OneNote | |
| — | Business communication platform offering workspace chat and videoconferencing, file storage, and application integration. | Microsoft Teams | teams |
| — | Cloud-based task management application that allows users to manage their tasks from a smartphone, tablet and computer. | Microsoft To Do | to-do |
| — | Allows users to create, share, and track data inside lists. | Microsoft Lists | lists |
Mobile services[edit]
Windows Phone[edit]
My Windows Phonewas a free online companion service forWindows Phonemobile devices that provided users with a free mobile phone back-up solution by wirelessly synchronizing contacts, calendar appointments, photos, andOneNotenotebooks with a password-protected online portal. Users could access and manage their information stored on their Windows Phone devices via the online portal using theirMicrosoft account,as well as accessing a set of features for remotely ringing, locking, mapping, and erasing their lost phones. This service integrated tightly with other Windows Live services includingHotmailPeople and Calendar, andSkyDrive.[8]
iOS[edit]
Microsoft released aWindows Live Messengerapplication on theiOSApp Store,which allowed users on mobile devices runningiOSto communicate with their contacts via theMicrosoft Messenger service.In addition to the instant messaging functionalities, the application also allowed users to view their Messenger social feed, view their friend'sProfiles,and integrate withHotmailandPhotos.
Feature phone[edit]
Windows Live also provided customized services specifically created forfeature phones.It was offered via three channels — through Client-based (forWindows Mobileand other supported mobile devices such asNokiaphones), Web-based (forWAPorGPRS-enabled mobile web browsers), orSMS-based services.[9]
| Mobile Service | Offered through | Exchange ActiveSync support? | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client | Web | SMS | |||
| Calendar Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web-based version ofCalendardesigned for mobile devices to view, schedule and manage calendar appointments and events. SMS service for users to query today and tomorrow's appointments in their calendar | |
| People Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web-based version ofPeopledesigned for mobile devices for access to contact information. Client-based version allows integration of the contact list with the mobile device's address book. Also allow users to query contact information via SMS |
| Groups Mobile | Yes | Web-based version ofWindows Live Groupsdesigned for mobile devices | |||
| Hotmail Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web- and client-based version ofHotmailthat targets mobile devices, and allow new email alerts via SMS |
| Messenger Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Web- and client-based version ofWindows Live Messengerthat is designed for mobile devices, and allow users to send instant messages via SMS | |
| Profile Mobile | Yes | View and update user's ownWindows Live Profileinformation using a mobile device | |||
| SkyDrive Mobile | Yes | Yes | Web-based version ofSkyDrivedesigned for mobile devices for accessing documents stored on the cloud. Client-based version allows upload of photos directly from a mobile phone camera. | ||
Search services[edit]
Bing,a replacement of the search engineLive Search,was originally namedWindows Live Search(andMSN Searchprior to that) and was once part of the Windows Live family of services. Windows Live Search once occupied the homepage of Live, the domain for all Windows Live services. However, on March 21, 2007, Microsoft decided to separate its search developments from its Windows Live services family, forming part of theLive Search and Ad Platform.As part of this reorganization, the new search brand,Live Search,was consolidated withMicrosoft adCenter,a part of Microsoft's Platform and Systems division.[10]However, Microsoft recognised that there was a brand issue as the word "Live" continued to remain in the brand.[11]As an effort to create a new identity for Microsoft's search services, on June 3, 2009, Live Search was officially rebranded asBing.[12]
Developer services[edit]
Live Connectis a collection of APIs and common controls that allow developers to have a deeper control and offers access to the core Windows Live services and data through open and easily accessibleapplication programming interfaces(APIs). Live Connect is built on standard web technologies such as OAuth 2.0, Representational State Transfer (REST), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and is designed to work with any technology or device. Live Connect unites the previously separate APIs of Windows Live into a single API that is based on industry standards and specifications.
Discontinued services[edit]
| Name | Description | Replaced By | Discontinued Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Center | Enabled users with domain names to change their domain MX record(s) (mail server records) so that all features of Outlook will be available on their own domain names. | Microsoft Office 365 | 10 April 2014 |
| Agents | Interactive chatterbots through Windows Live Messenger that allowed users to get more information about specific topics. | — | 30 June 2009 |
| Alerts | Sent information updates to the user's email inbox, mobile device or Messenger. | — | 30 September 2010 |
| Barcode | 2D barcodes that can be used to store information or link to the mobile web. | Microsoft Tag | Never launched |
| Call | Allowed users to makePC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone voice and video calls. | Skype | 1 June 2010 |
| Devices | An online device management service that allowed users to centrally access and manage the synchronisation of files stored on their computers and mobile devices. Also allowed users to remotely access their computers from the internet via their web browser. | Integration intoOneDrive | ? |
| Events | Enables managing and planning different types of events and share them with others usingCalendar,SpacesandAlerts. | Windows Live Groups (now discontinued) Calendar |
3 September 2009 |
| Expo | Allowed users to post online classifieds and search for listings posted by other users. | — | 31 July 2008 |
| Favorites | Synchronized the user's favorites between computers and allows for the sharing of favorites. | OneDrive | 14 April 2009 |
| FrameIt | Extended the functionality of digital photo frame devices, allowing users to customise the content delivery from multiple sources such as RSS feeds. | — | 15 December 2010 |
| Gallery | A center for collections of developers' add-ons forWindows Live Messenger,Photo Gallery,Movie Maker,Writer,Toolbar,Spaces,and Live, as well asWindows 7andWindows VistaSidebar andSideShowgadgets. | Windows Live Plug-ins (Discontinued) |
1 October 2011 |
| Groups | Enabled users to create their social groups for sharing, discussion and coordination. | Integration intoOneDrive | ? |
| Home | Provided a central location to access Windows Live services, monitor status information, and navigate to other Windows Live sites and services. | — | 18 February 2013 |
| Help Community | Collection of forums and message boards that allowed communication with other users of Windows Live products. | Microsoft Answers | 6 June 2008 |
| Mesh | File sharing and synchronization service based on FolderShare and Live Mesh technologies. Supported PC-to-PC and PC-to-Cloud synchronisation, and synchronisation of program settings such asInternet ExplorerandMicrosoft Officebetween multiple computers. Also allowed users to remotely access their computers via the internet. | OneDrive | 2012 |
| Office Live Workspace | Offered 5GB of storage space for storingMicrosoft OfficeWord, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook documents and lists online and sharing them with others. Office Live Workspace did not offer collaboration or editing capabilities however. | Office Online | 21 January 2011 |
| OneCare Safety Scanner | Free PC scanning and health service to help delete viruses and other threats. Included aregistry cleaner,disk cleaneranddefragmenter,network open port scanner, and comprehensive virus and spyware scanner. | Microsoft Safety Scanner | 15 April 2011 |
| Personalized Experience | An all-in-one home page featuring a customisable RSS aggregator, gadgets and search tools. | My MSN | 30 March 2010 |
| Plug-ins[13] | A central repository for collections of developer plug-ins forWindows Photo Gallery,Windows Movie Maker,andWindows Live Writer. | — | ? |
| QnA | A question and answer service which allowed users to ask questions, tag them according to topic, and gain points and reputation for answering other users' questions. | MSN QnA (now discontinued) |
21 May 2009 |
| Search Center | A desktop search program which provided a unified local and remote indexed search from a unified interface. | Windows Search 4 (now part ofWindows VistaandWindows 7) |
12 December 2006 |
| Shopping | An online shopping comparison website which allowed users to compare items and prices of over 40 million products from more than 7000 online stores. | Bing Shopping (now discontinued) |
20 February 2007 |
| Spaces | A blog and social networking service which allowed users to create personalized blogs, add friends, and upload photos. | Migration toWordPressor Sina blogs in China | 16 March 2011 |
| SyncandLive Mesh | File synchronization which allowed files and folders between two or more computers be in sync with each other or with thecloud storageon the web. Live Mesh also enabled remote desktop access via the internet using a web browser. | OneDrive | 31 March 2011 |
| TV | An additional program forWindows Media Centerwhich provided access toWindows Live Spaces,Messenger,andCallon large-screen monitors or TVs. | — | 24 June 2008 |
| Video Messages | Combined digital video with e-mail into a service that allowed all webcam users to create, send, and receive video messages to anyone in their contact list, even when they are offline. | Skype | 21 July 2010 |
| Web Messenger | Online version ofWindows Live Messengerwhich allowed users to talk online and in real-time with others from within a web browser. | Integration into all services | 30 October 2008 |
| WiFi Center | Allowed users to search for wireless networks that are available and displays information about them. | — | 16 February 2007 |
| WiFi Hotspot Locator | A website which allowed users to locate wireless internet hotspots worldwide and view their positions on a map usingBing Maps. | MSN WiFi Hotspots (now discontinued) |
16 February 2007 |
Software[edit]
Microsoft has released several computer programs with "Windows Live" brand, a summary of which is included below. All exceptWindows Live OneCarearefreewareand published in asoftware suitecalledWindows Essentials(formerly Windows Live Essentials). Essentials programs are designed to integrate well with each other, withinWindows,and with other Windows Live services such asOneDriveandOutlook.[14]Windows Live OneCare on the other hand, was a commercial consumersutilitymarketed with asoftware as a servicelicensing model.
| Service | Description | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Family Safety | Parental controlssimilar toWindows Vista's Family Safety feature | Integrated intoWindows 8and later[7] |
| Desktop mail and calendar client designed to succeedOutlook ExpressonWindows XPandWindows Mailon Windows Vista, with fullRSSsupport | Integrated intoWindows 8and later[7] | |
| Movie Maker | Avideo editing programfor consumers | Discontinued, most functionality integrated into Photos app, a feature which was called Windows Story Remix (later Video Editor) |
| Messenger | Instant messagingapp | Replaced bySkype |
| Messenger Companion | An add-in forInternet Explorerthat allows users to share a webpage with their friends on Windows Live, see links to webpages the user's friends have shared and comment on these shared pages. | Discontinued |
| OneCare | A suite of computer security programs withantivirus program,backup utility,and apersonal firewall. | Discontinued; functionality is partially offered byMicrosoft Security Essentials,Windows Defender,System Center Endpoint Protection,Windows BackupandWindows Firewall. |
| Toolbar | A toolbar plug-in forWindows Internet Explorer,which allows quick access to a user'sWindows Live Spaces,Hotmail,FavoritesandLive Searchfrom a button on the toolbar. | Replaced byBing DesktopandBing Bar |
| Photo Gallery | Image organizerthat makes posting photos to SkyDrive andFacebookeasier | Discontinued; functionality is partially offered by Photos app inWindows 10,andOneDriveapp. |
| Writer | Desktop blog publishing tool that can publish to popular blogging services and make use of SkyDrive for photo storage. | Discontinued; open sourced asOpen Live Writerin late 2015. |
Windows Live Butterfly[edit]
TheWindows Live Butterflyawards program (formerly theMSN Butterflyprogram) was a program whose members were given the benefit of new Microsoft software to test before the beta releases went public and they were in direct contact with the program managers for Windows Live products.
Microsoft had initiated the Windows Live Butterfly program in order to recognize the contributions made by exemplary beta testers. Prospective 'butterflies' were selected by the Windows Live product team and were nominated for a term of one year, after which they could be renominated.[15]
The Windows Live Butterfly program was closed in June 2009.
User interface[edit]
All Windows Live websites sport a common theme. Different themes have been used on the sites with each phase of product release, called "Waves". Each Wave has a set of online services and desktop programs (Windows Essentials). The web services are labelled by each Wave, for example,HotmailWave 4. The programs from Windows Essentials are usually called by a year number, for example,Windows Live Messenger2011.
Blue Vapor/Flair/Wave 1[edit]
Most original Windows Live applications and services used a visual theme known asBlue VapororFlair.
Wave 2[edit]
With the public beta release of theWindows Live Wave 2 Suite,[16]a new visual theme was released to enable theAerotransparency effect inWindows Vista.[17]
Wave 3[edit]
Microsoft released a set of new themes for their Windows Live Wave 3 services, which allows users to customize their pages on Windows Live using a set of predetermined background pictures. Several of these themes are dynamic and change according to the time of day and the current weather condition of the user.[18]
Wave 4[edit]
In addition to the themes provided in Windows Live Wave 3, the release of Windows Live Wave 4 provided additional themes for users to customize their pages on Windows Live, with several dynamic themes that changes according to the time of day and weather conditions at the user's location. Several of these newly added themes are similar to wallpapers originating fromWindows 7.[19]In addition, the Windows Live Wave 4 header features a reorganized dynamic navigation menu that displays the number of the user's current online contacts and the number of unread e-mails,[20]as well as an in-builtWindows Live Web Messengerservice allowing users to connect to theMicrosoft Messenger serviceandFacebookchat service to chat with their online contacts while browsing any Windows Live properties using a web browser.[21]
See also[edit]
In addition to Windows Live, which is mainly aimed at individuals,[5]Microsoft brands other properties as "Live",including:
- Xbox Live(amultiplayer gamingand content-delivery system forXbox)
- Games for Windows – Live(multiplayer gaming service forMicrosoft Windows)
- Office Live.Office Live merged into Windows Live during theWave 4update. Microsoft merged Office Live into the Windows Live team in January 2009.[22]
References[edit]
- ^"Windows Live Wave 3 Reviewers Guide"(PDF).News Center.Microsoft.2008-11-12. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 1, 2010.Retrieved2008-11-16.
- ^Thurrott, Paul (2006-01-18)."Windows Live Preview".SuperSite for Windows.Penton Media.Archivedfrom the original on 2007-05-27.Retrieved2007-06-17.
- ^"The Complete Windows Experience – Windows 7 + Windows Live".The Windows Blog.Microsoft.28 October 2008.
- ^"Windows 8 Developer Preview Guide"(PDF).Download Center.Microsoft. 2011-09-13. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-10-07.Retrieved2011-09-20.
- ^ab"Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services".News Center.Microsoft.1 November 2005.Archivedfrom the original on 3 November 2014.Retrieved3 November2014.
- ^Stross, Randall (May 27, 2012)."Goodbye to Windows Live (and Whatever It Meant)".New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 28,2017.
- ^abc"Cloud services for Windows 8 and Windows Phone: Windows Live, reimagined".Building Windows 8.Microsoft.2012-05-02.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-02-16.Retrieved2013-06-15.
- ^Woodman, Aaron (13 July 2010)."Windows Phone 7 – Getting Connected".Blogging Windows.Microsoft.
- ^"Windows Live for mobile Wave 3 – take your social life on the go".LiveSide.net.2008-11-14. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-05.Retrieved2008-11-16.
- ^Foley, Mary Jo (21 March 2007)."Microsoft severs Live Search from the rest of the Windows Live family".ZDNet.CBS Interactive.Archived fromthe originalon 3 November 2014.Retrieved3 November2014.
- ^"Keynote with Kevin Johnson at Microsoft".seroundtable.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-06-24.Retrieved2009-05-30.
- ^Singel, Ryan (2009-05-28)."Hands On With Microsoft's New Search Engine: Bing, But No Boom".Wired.Condé Nast.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-04-29.Retrieved2017-03-12.
- ^plugins.live /developer/information
- ^Foley, Mary Jo (25 August 2006)."Microsoft Seeks Testers for 'Windows Live Essentials'".eWeek.Quinstreet.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-10-10.Retrieved2023-10-10.
- ^"Excerpt of Windows Live Butterfly Acceptance E-mail from Windows Live Beta Team".Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2009.
- ^"Windows Live 2.0 Release Notes".Microsoft.Retrieved2008-06-06.[permanent dead link]
- ^"The Death of Flair – Windows Live's New Look".LiveSide.net.2007-06-15. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-10.Retrieved2008-11-16.
- ^"Windows Live Wave 3: New Header UI".LiveSide.net.2008-06-05. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-06-06.Retrieved2008-06-06.
- ^"Recapping the rumors: what we 'know' about Wave 4".LiveSide.net.2010-01-04. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-08.Retrieved2010-01-27.
- ^"More information about Windows Live Wave 4's dynamic header".LiveSide.net.2010-01-21. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-28.Retrieved2010-01-27.
- ^"A new wave, a new look: First look at the Windows Live Wave 4 header".LiveSide.net.2010-01-04. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-07.Retrieved2010-01-27.
- ^"Looking ahead and bringing you even more".Office Live Workspace Team Blog.Microsoft.2009-01-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-02-20.Retrieved2009-01-24.
